Darkness Undone

by Georgia Lyn Hunter

  What’s going on?

  She glanced across to Reynner and found him still at the edge of the balcony, his back to her. The winds lashed at his hair and snapped at his pants, his stance rigid. Whatever they’d been arguing about hadn’t left him in a good mood.

  “Reynner?”

  He turned, raking back the gleaming strands whipping into his face.

  For a second, Eve simply stared. Oh, yes, he’d make the perfect subject for her next sculpture, to capture all that wild, raw power harnessed in a solitary figure.

  Come on, Eve, get this over with!

  Pulling her mind off her work, she stepped out onto the balcony. Her stomach twisted into knots at his grim expression. She had to haul her apology past a throat gone bone-dry, and coughed it out, “I know you're angry at me for what happened last night—”

  He stiffened at her words.

  Right. Eve straightened her spine. If he didn’t care for her apology then she wouldn’t waste her time giving it. She grabbed at her flying hemline with impatient hands. “Look, I think I should just leave.”

  “Last night was…regrettable,” he said, his voice flat like his eyes. “But you can't leave. Not yet.”

  Her chin kicked up. She didn’t want his apology or whatever the heck that pitiful excuse was. “I thought it’s what you wanted, me gone?”

  “You have no idea what the hell I want.” A nerve ticked hard in his jaw. “But I do need your help.”

  “With what?”

  “To locate something.”

  That stumped her for a second. Most times she couldn’t even find her own apartment keys, so how in the world would she be any help in locating anything? “I'm not the best person for finding things. I'm more prone to losing them.”

  “You are the one,” he insisted. “The only one who can find the artifact I need. I’ve searched a long time for you, Eve.”

  “You have?” Eve shook her head, trying to clear the buzzing sensation in there. If she fell down a rabbit’s hole and saw a grinning cat—well, she wouldn’t be surprised. Since she’d met Reynner, her life seemed to have gone off-kilter. But his words intrigued her. “What artifact?”

  “It’s a mystical Stone of Light, one of the seven which disappeared millennia ago.”

  Mystical stone? This had to be some kind of weird dream. “How can you be sure I'm the person you want?”

  “Your blood tells me so.”

  “M-my blood?”

  “Yes. When you hurt your ear, your blood called to me. Then I tasted—”

  “Tasted? My blood?” Eve backed away in horror, felt as if the ground had shifted beneath her feet. “What-what are you?”

  “I'm an Empyrean.” He prowled closer. “And yes, I tasted your blood. The second time when you cut your finger, I knew for sure.”

  Hastily, she took another step back. Her stomach coiled tightly as the truth hit her. “That’s why—” she struggled to breathe “—that’s why you came after me.”

  “Yes.”

  Despite all the confusion and the chaos in her mind, that single word smashed her fragile hope like glass. How could she be so stupid? That was the only reason he’d insisted she accompany him when he got hurt. And she thought…

  God, she was such a fool.

  “Eve—”

  She shook her head and took a step back, unable to look at him, mortification burning clear through her brittle emotions. I guess that’s all someone like me can expect.

  Biting her lip, she struggled to lock down the sudden ache in her chest. Hell, she’d just have to get over this, too. She was a survivor, wasn’t she?

  Dusting her bruised pride, she met his gaze to decline. Instead, she found herself agreeing. “Fine, I’ll help you find your artifact.”

  Obviously, she was an idiot, too.

  His eyes narrowed. “What do you mean ‘someone like you?’”

  Christ! She’d said that out loud? Was there no end to her embarrassment?

  “It’s not important. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to go home.” Eve spun for the door.

  But Reynner caught her by the arm, hauling her back. She stumbled into his chest and breathed in his warm, heady scent. And the slumbering demon of desire surged again. She really didn’t want to be reminded of what she could never have. The brief taste of what could have been would haunt her for the rest of her life.

  His hard, dark gaze trapped hers. “I asked you a question.”

  “I chose not to answer.” Eve yanked at her arm in a desperate bid to be free and tripped backwards. She lost her footing and fell…into nothingness. There was no more ground to catch her. The mountains around her went spinning. A strangled cry of sheer terror rushed out of her, the sound swept away by the winds as she plummeted straight down to the gorge below.

  “Eve!” Reynner’s horrified yell came from far away—too far. He couldn’t help her now.

  No one could.

  Caught in a vortex of spiraling air and roiling terror, she hurtled headlong for the rocks. Eve squeezed her eyes tight as death approached at a chilling speed.

  Oh, God—oh, God, let it be quick.

  The next moment, hands grabbed her. Her body slammed into something hard, and the familiar scent of cool forest flooded her nose. It couldn’t be Reynner. He wasn’t going to jump off a ledge and follow her into death.

  “Eve, dammit! Talk to me—look at me.”

  “What did you do?” she cried, flinging her arms around his neck, and tightened them in a deathlock. “Why did you come after me? Now we’ll both die.”

  “No one’s dying. For heavensakes, Eve, open your eyes.”

  “No. Can’t look. I just can’t.” She buried her face in his neck.

  “Eve, look at me, please. I promise we’re not going to die…look at me,” he coaxed. “Come on, baby,” a whisper.

  Then, a hair-roughened cheek rubbed against hers, jolting her from her mind-numbing horror. She dragged in a harsh breath and opened her eyes. And blinked. She wasn’t hurtling to her death. Instead, they appeared to be hovering in the brisk air. What the…

  “Thank the heavens.” He hugged her tightly. The air she’d managed to inhale whooshed out again.

  “Reynner,” she whimpered. “Can’t breathe.”

  He eased his hold, and for a moment, she thought she felt as if his lips brush her head. Then she looked over his shoulder. Her thoughts scattered, her mouth dropped open. Wings?

  Reynner had wings?

  Enormous and gleaming bronze, they flared out behind him. Fear gave way to wonder. “You—you have wings.”

  “What?” His brow furrowed.

  Eve didn't answer. Drawn by the beautiful, shimmery tones, she released her chokehold on him and reached over his shoulder to run her palm over the warm arches of the smooth, glossy filaments.

  His body jerked, as did his wings, causing them to falter midair. His mouth tightened. His erection stirred against her hips.

  Heat flooding her face, Eve yanked her hand back. Her mumbled words of apology whisked away by the winds.

  He shook his head. Tone flat, he said, “The inner arches of our wings are sensitive, like certain parts of our body would be to touch.”

  How stupid of her. Of course, he’d react differently. He wasn’t a bird like the dove she cared for and could just touch whenever she felt like. Then reality sank in.

  He’s not human. Immortal, the thought whipped around her mind. Now it all made sense.

  Angels and demons.

  “You’re staring. Did I grow another head?” he asked as she searched his face, his tempting mouth a whisper away.

  “What are you?”

  He cut her a sharp look. “What difference does it make? I’m still the same person I was a few minutes ago.”

  “No. You’re not—you're not who I thought you were.”

  “Gods, Eve, just shut up,” he growled, burying his face in her hair. And he held her like she mattered. His wings flapped, and a draft of sheer unadult
erated sensuality, wild and masculine, one that was all him, wafted to her.

  Eve closed her eyes, absorbing the feel of him—of his hard male body flush against hers.

  Not human. An immortal, her mind repeated, but she didn't care. Sliding her open palm over his shoulder, she let the seductive pull of his warm skin seep through her.

  However, the moment didn’t last. Reynner set her down on a sun-warmed bedrock, some distance from the waterfalls. He didn’t immediately let go of her, though. His dark eyes roamed her face. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Are you all right?”

  She nodded, emotions crowding her, unable to say a single word. Then his arms fell away and he stepped back. Blowing out a rough breathe, he prowled along the riverbank as if trying to get himself under control, his stunning wings just about sweeping the ground. The primary flight feathers were a creamy silver, the same color as his hair, and a stunning contrast to the bronze.

  Then he swung back to her, eyes blazing now, and still, he looked utterly magnificent. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again. Understand? While we’re here, you will stay indoors—dammit, Eve, are you listening to me?”

  “Yes,” she said, her gaze skimming over his dark wings in awe. And realized why she hadn't seen them in his dreams. They’d been concealed by the thick gloom in the cave. “No going onto the balcony— You’re an angel.”

  “Not according to the Empyrean lexicon.” Mouth tight, he snapped his wings closed and drew them to his body. With a final shimmer, they disappeared from sight.

  Her gaze widened. “Where did they go?”

  “They are there, just invisible.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “It’s an ability we have. It makes it easier when I’m in the mortal world. We are nothing like the humans’ concept of angels, Eve. At least not like those in Heaven. We, supposedly, were shaped to resemble the impossible perfection your God created.” A mocking note entered his voice. “We were meant to be all things perfect. Or, so our creator intended, but flaws will find a way.”

  “Flaws?” But he was perfect. “I thought God created all angels.”

  “Your God did. Like Michael.”

  “Michael is an ang—the archangel?”

  “Yes.”

  It all fit, Michael’s otherworldly appearance, his glowing eyes.

  “Then who er- made you—the Empyreans?”

  “Urias.” Reynner shoved back his wind-mussed hair and glared at the flowing river. “Spawned off Chaos, he wanted nothing but the perfect race. Seems he forgot everything is about balance. You cannot have yin without the yang. Perfection doesn't come without a price.” His bitter words flayed her.

  “I'm sorry…”

  “It’s not your fault.” His laugh was harsh, his expression dark as he continued to stare at the river. “Now we must find a way out of this damn mess he created—a way to survive.”

  “How?”

  “Find the Stone first and hope like hell it all works out,” he said flatly.

  “The artifact you want me to locate—that’s what your world needs?” she asked a little stunned.

  He nodded. The crashing falls, the only sound between them. Eve wanted to tell him it would be all right, but what the heck did she know about anything. About Reynner’s world? She rubbed her arms at the sudden spread of goosebumps and waited. Hoped he’d talk more.

  After a long moment, he turned to her. “About last night…I’m sorry.”

  That took her by surprise. Obviously, it was on his mind, considering how upset he’d been moments ago. Then a blush heated her face, recalling exactly what had occurred in his room. She remained silent.

  “You offered comfort while I—” He pinched the bridge of his nose, then lowered his hand. “You didn’t have to be subjected to that horror. How bad was it?”

  “What?” she asked, wariness creeping back.

  “You took in all that shit from me, there had to be repercussions. How bad was it?”

  Right, he meant what she’d seen in his memories, not what had happened between them. “I’m okay.” Now.

  His eyes became blue steel. “Tell me.”

  A shiver racing over her, Eve wrapped her arms around her waist. “I can feel and see a person’s thoughts through touch…”

  “And?”

  “I saw those monsters hurting you.” She didn't want to talk about the terror, the pain she’d felt. She especially didn’t want to discuss what she’d seen next, and prayed he wouldn’t make her. That horrid woman digging into his wounds and what she’d done to him after… It had only been a brief flash before he’d awakened and shoved her away, but Eve knew…she saw. A lump lodged in her throat.

  A harsh expletive left him. “I could have done you lasting damage.”

  She swallowed, tried to brush it off. “No-no, I'm fine.”

  “Don’t lie, Eve. Don’t you lie to me. I saw your face—the pain! You experienced everything you saw, didn't you?”

  She bit her lip and stared silently at him.

  Furious, he pivoted and paced the banks again, the muscles of his back vibrating with each breath he took.

  Determined to put an end to his self-recriminations, Eve hurried over and stepped in his path. He glared at her. “Stop pacing for a minute and listen to me. I am fine. You can see I’m all right. It’s you who still suffers.”

  “I could have hurt you badly,” he bit out. “Don’t ever touch me again. Understand?”

  She searched his tight features. Did he mean don’t touch him, period? Or only when he had nightmares? But she had a feeling she knew which. “Yes. I understand.” Then she said softly, “If there was a way I could help ease those nightmares, I would. Who was she, the one who did that to you?”

  He went motionless for a second before his expression contorted into a mocking one. “I don’t need that kind of help. With females it always comes with a price. Don’t expect anything more from me, Eve.”

  Her temper flared. Is that what he thought? Okay, maybe she did want him, but that didn't mean she’d chase after any man.

  “Did I ask you for anything?” she snapped, “I don’t have to be an empath to get your ‘keep off’ message loud and clear, Reynner. You wear it like a damn shroud.”

  Annoyed, Eve spun away, but he grasped her arm and hauled her back. His taut features a scant inch from hers. “The one who did that to me? Who trapped me in that godforsaken hole? She’s dead. A demoness whom I took great pleasure in beheading before incinerating her. She will never rise again.”

  Eve swallowed. The brutality of his words just about stopped her heart. Just about, but it did little to tone down her irritation. “Is that supposed to frighten me?”

  “It’d better. I’m not human.”

  Yes, she knew that…now. Knew how lethal he could be, too. She shrugged. “I’m not scared of you. Not scared of dying either. I am mortal, I cannot escape that, so your threats hold no substance.”

  His gaze darkened at her words. “Don’t push me, Eve. Don’t.”

  Unable to bear his touch, she pulled free. “Why are you so angry with me? You’ve painted a clear picture of what you want. So, yes, I got it—you need my help, nothing else. So why?”

  His lips compressed. A tick beat hard in his jaw. She wasn't surprised by his silence, it wasn't like he’d open up now and spill all to her.

  A movement in her peripheral view hauled her out of her frustration, and she found Aerén heading for them.

  “Eve—” His gaze skimmed over her in concern. “You gave me one helluva scare falling off the balcony like that. When Reynner did not come back—” He shook his head as if he expected the worst.

  Eve forced a smile when it was the last thing she felt like doing. “I’m fine, Aerén.”

  “Take her back,” Reynner instructed Aerén.

  He was sending her off with Aerén?

  Eve’s heart dipped at how easily he’d dismissed her. She straightened her spine, but couldn’t stop he
r irritation from spewing out. “Don’t you dare think to shove me off to someone else because you have no answer for me. I’m not some chew-toy for you to toss aside because you don’t like what I say—”

  “You sure you want to take me on, little Eve?”

  She hated when he called her that in that taunting manner, more that she’d lost her temper. Eve stomped off.

  Stopping several feet from the crystal clear water of the plunge pool, she wrapped her arms around her shaky body.

  Aerén came up beside her. “You okay?”

  She glanced over her shoulder, but Reynner had disappeared. She blew out a ragged breath. “I'm fine.”

  “That bad, huh?” Aerén teased.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t usually get this mad, but Reynner…”

  “No apologies necessary. I’ve been living with him for a few months. This is the most emotion he’s shown, which, trust me, is good.”

  And just like that, her remaining anger fizzled out. A pang opened up inside her. If those nightmares were what drove him, no wonder he’d shut down his emotions—shut her out.

  Shut her out?

  When had he let her in? The distance Reynner put between them stretched as vast as the universe. It was an expanse he’d never willingly cross, she realized, not after what had been done to him.

  “It’s good to have you here, Eve,” Aerén said, pulling her out of an impossible longing, a sudden twinkle in his light eyes.

  “Oh, really?”

  “Absolutely. Had I attempted what you just did, he’d have drawn his sword on me. To see him faced off by a female made my day. Come, my lady, let’s get you back to the aerie.”

  Aerén made her want to smile. It occurred to her then that he was immortal, too.

  “How did you get here? I didn't hear you fly down—where are your wings?”

  He grinned. “I don’t possess any. Don’t worry, my mode of travel is far safer. You can't fall.”

  Can't fall? “What do you—”

  Aerén grasped her hand. The next instant, everything around her swirled, spun, and she was sucked into a world of swirling opaqueness, her shriek echoing in her ears.

  Chapter 10

  They took form on the balcony moments later. Eve lurched forward on unsteady feet. Aerén grabbed her before she fell flat on her face.